Monday, April 22, 2013

The Steeplechase

One of our favorite spring traditions is to attend the Block House Steeplechase running in Tryon, North Carolina.


This event ushers in spring with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, and tailgating as we view the thoroughbreds thundering past striving for a win. The day started out quite cool, so I am wearing a sweater poncho here. As the afternoon progressed, the sun warmed us enough to shed the layers. Our parking space partners were the most charming people! We loved visiting with them and hope to continue our new friendships for many years.



At the beginning of the festivities, there is a hat contest to award a prize to the most appropriate hat, the funniest hat, and the best kid's hat. 





Here I am in the hat parade wearing the white dress I told you about earlier. (I did not win, but it certainly was fun!)


  
Here are some of the other contestants in their lovely hats.




The Block House is the longest-running steeplechase in the state of North Carolina, occurring continuously since 1947. Crowds of 18,000 to 20,000 attend the Block House Races annually. 




This 1949 Bentley was in the space in front of us. The owner is the fellow standing behind the car. He told us that his father bought the car new and that his grandchildren are the fifth generation to ride in the car. He drives it regularly.




We always stay at the 1906 Pinecrest Inn. This is later in the day at the gazebo in the lower gardens on the Inn's property. We are on our way to cocktails on the terrace, so I have switched to a more subdued animal print ribbon trimmed straw hat for the afternoon. When wearing a hat, I wear few other accessories. The effect can be quite matronly if you add large earrings, a necklace, and glasses. The soft white knit dress is from Stein Mart.





Later in the evening, I wore another red knit dress from Stein Mart to dinner. This is a record for me... bare legs with a dress twice in one day! Normally I would not be so daring, but it is my vacation after all.





The next morning, I wore this wonderful fuchsia blouse, which was a gift from Foxcroft. I paired it with khaki Capri pants from Talbots and Kenneth Cole Reaction sandals via T.J. Maxx. This Foxcroft blouse will be one of my spring favorites! You will see it often. It is the softest non-iron fabric I have ever worn. Normally no iron blouses are too stiff to be comfortable. This one flows across the body in a perfect drape.

14 comments:

Jacquie said...

Looks like so much fun and you look fabulous!

bluehuewonderland said...

You look great in your red dress and sandals! Look like you are having a fun time.

blue hue wonderland

Donna said...

What a lovely, fun weekend! You look marvelous in all your outfits. The Foxcroft blouse is a winner. It's nice to have comfy and no iron in the same package.

Anonymous said...

Love the outfits!! They are just beautiful!! Looks like you guys had a great time too!

Judith-Ann said...

Absolutely lovely and simply elegant, as always. I really appreciate your tips (for instance, keeping accessories to a minimum when wearing a hat) and seeing the evidence in your photos. You are right, necklace, bracelets, etc would have "junked" it up and distracted from the main attraction.

Mrs C said...

You are stunning especially in the cream dress with the hat.. very elegant and well put together. We did some hat parade too recently at my sons' school Spring fair.. it was fun :)

GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

Patti said...

You're gorgeous in both your white and red dresses, Susan! Thanks for sharing this fun event with Visible Monday.

Beetique said...

Love all the outfits and the tips

gracefully50 said...

Gosh, you look gorgeous in all the outfits! And, you wear the hat sooo well! Looks like a fun event.

allmylivesnow said...

Oh what fun! You look fabulous in your finery.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great time! Wearing fancy hats seems to go well with horse races, as I found out during my year in Australia. Have a look at these pictures if you are so inclined - http://feb122010.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/fancy-dance-in-feather-town/

Maybe we should revive these great traditions in more communities. Such fun!

Lori Draper said...

That looks like such fun! And you were lovely in two dresses in one day!!

Lori

Kathleen said...

Lovely hats and lovely ladies!

Flora Cruft said...

Gosh you look so glamorous in that gorgeous red dress! What a fun event it must have been!

Popping by as a fellow Visible Monday blogger, do drop by my post and let me know what you think!

Emalina
www.kikiandthegypsy.blogspot.co.uk